[No Pepper]

Chicago, October 8, 1902

The view from the box seat at South Side Park was the best seat in the house. Not only was a refreshingly cool breeze sweeping left to right across the diamond, it was a welcome courier of the smell of grilled hot dogs, processed pork that came from the nearby stockyards, a different smell, thank goodness, that was swept downwind from where Charles Comiskey watched the game. Ah, the smell of hot dogs - not that the baseball baron cared much for them as an edible delight – they were a sign that people paid for tickets and stocked the stands to see the matchup at hand. It was easy money in his pockets. Today was not a contest fought between the Sox and rival Detroit, no, it was an off-season affair that Comiskey booked between all-stars of rival leagues. Similar to his taste (or distaste) for hot dogs, the owner viewed the exhibitions between ballplayers during the offseason as something that threatened his control of players and any draw they might take that should rightfully be his own. But draw they did – Comiskey would take a good share of the profits and become a financial backer for part of the tour - today’s game showing that despite the Sox not bringing home the pennant, fans of Chicago were still hungry for a good brand of baseball.

In the first game of the tour, played yesterday, the All-Americans out-hit the All-Nationals 10 to 8 and scored 3 runs late in the 8th thanks in part to a timely double by Cleveland third baseman Bill Bradley. Cy Young picked up a win against his former competitors, suggesting to some he would have been better off staying with St. Louis and the National League rather than jumping over to Boston, where he hasn’t fared well against American League opponents.

Today should have been a classic matchup of pitchers, with young stars Mathewson of New York and Plank of Philadelphia matching throw for throw. But the All-Nationals greeted Plank with seven runs by the fifth, and with Mathewson cruising along, notably at the expense of Fielder Jones, Comiskey’s field general and centerfielder, it looked like the Americans were about to pack it in.

“Charles, you know your boy Jones has looked foolish against the delivery of Christy today,” a fellow Chicago businessman remarked towards the team owner. Although gambling was frowned upon, he already had collected $50 off the magnate in bets.

“He may look foolish today, but I bet he’ll return me more than 100 times what you’ve got in your pocket, by the end of this tour,” Comiskey returned with a slight grin.

“By the time he arrives in California, that sun will make him quickly forget about the cold Chicago springs. He might jump if you guys don’t get your act together. You don’t pay him enough.” The partner made sure he rubbed in that last point.

Comiskey didn’t care about what he paid his players just so long as he got a good return on his money. But he was right, in part, the two leagues were still at ends with each other – rather, not talking at all – and more news of potential shakeups this winter was rampant among the owners, who were due to meet in Chicago this December.

“Steee-rike three!” the umpire shouted and Jones tossed his bat in disgust. His knees buckled on a tight 12-6 curveball from Matty. Lajoie had no chance either, as a fadeaway caught him offbalance as well for the third out. All-Nationals now lead by the score 7-2.

“I’ve instructed Jones to try and get some pitching help before the teams invest too much time in California. We’ve got enough offense to challenge Cleveland and I know Doc White isn’t exactly happy with the Phillies. Al Orth left them last year but found Mack’s team just as wanting for wins. Chicago would be a good fit for Doc,” Comiskey thought, out loud.

“The Old Fox better not outsmart the Old Roman,” quipped someone behind the two well-dressed executives. Clark Griffith was on the tour as well and, having fallen out of favor with Comiskey and traded to St. Louis last year, was now rumored to be the man Ban Johnson wanted in New York for a rival club to spite nemesis John McGraw of the Giants. It was the last comment made among the men as the game wore on.

The Americans later torched Mathewson for 5 runs after 2 outs in the ninth, tying the score 7 all. Fielder Jones saved face by igniting a 5-hit barrage with a line drive to right that Crawford dove at to prevent extra-bases. Crawford redeemed himself in the 10th by robbing Jones on a similar drive to prevent an American threat. "Crossfire" Earl Moore came on relief of a tired Eddie Plank and surrendered a lead-off double by Beaumont. He got away with a hanging spitball to Wagner to softly lifted one to to pitch to Delahanty in left. He thought wise not to pitch to Mike Donlin who was already 3 for 4 and was given the second out he needed when Shriver threw out Ginger trying to take third. Moore got to two strikes against Beckley but the skilled Redleg managed to foul-off four nasty offerings from the sidewinder and earned a single to score Donlin for the winning run.

It was going to be competitive series with four more to play in the Windy City. Comiskey could already see dollar signs when it was learned that nearly 18,000 paid were in attendance. “Had to make up that $50”, he laughed to himself.